ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. (KYW Newsradio) — The days of lighting up inside New Jersey casinos may finally be coming to an end after a Senate health committee decides to advance a bill to ban smoking.
It’s been a lengthy battle for New Jersey State Senator Shirley Turner to get a ban on smoking at casinos. In times when there appeared to be progress, something clogged up the process and it was back to the drawing board.
Turner says she’s optimistic it will pass this time because there’s new leadership in Trenton and a motivated group of casino workers who are demanding change.
“So now they are looking to be protected and stop being treated as second-class citizens,” she said.
Casinos have long fought any ban on smoking, saying it would cripple their businesses. Two state assembly committees last heard arguments on the matter in March 2023. Those against the bill argued a ban could lead to the loss of almost 25 percent of casino revenue, which in turn could lead to layoffs.
On the other side, those in support said a ban would ease health concerns and make for safer work environments.
All of Turner’s previous efforts turned to ash but she says this is the right plan forward, just like banning smoking at restaurants and on airplanes.
“People have given it up, especially our younger people," she said. "They don’t smoke like the older population. And I think they would be the ones that the casinos need to rely on to be their patrons."
The bill still needs to get full approval in the state Senate and Assembly before the governor can sign it into law, and no votes are scheduled yet.
We have not heard back from the NJ Casino Association on a request for comment.